We have a friend named S. who recently underwent surgery for tongue cancer. Forty percent of his tongue was removed in a surgery that took nearly ten hours. A patch of skin was removed from his arm to use to reshape his tongue, and then a piece of skin was removed from his leg to patch up his arm. Because his tongue was swollen after the surgery, a tracheotomy was inserted along with a feeding tube.
After the surgery, S. was very uncomfortable. The first few days and nights post-surgery were very tough. Little by little, S. began to feel better. He was able to leave the hospital after a few days, and then was able to have all drains, the feeding tube, and the tracheotomy removed. He began to talk a little. Later he began to try to eat soft foods. Talking and eating were (and are) difficult. S. told us that you don't realize how much you use your tongue until you can't use it anymore.
We saw S. a couple of weeks post-surgery. We could understand everything he said, but we could tell that talking was tiring for him, so we conversed mainly with his wife, although he added comments periodically. We sat in their home amazed as both S. and his wife told us of the ways they have recently seen the Lord's hand in their lives, and of all the tender mercies that have been poured out upon them.
Instead of complaining, they praised God. Instead of whining, they witnessed of the Savior. We admire their faith!
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